Building block or brick



(No Model.)

' J. L. SMITHMEYER.

BUILDING BLOCK RIcK.

No. 279,836. tented June 19,1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT O FICE.

JOHN L. SMI'IHlliLEYER, OF WASHINGTON, DI STRIOI OF COLUMBIA.

BUILDING BLOCK OR BRICK.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,836, dated June 19, 1883.

Application filed March 31,1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. SMITHMEYER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Building Blocks or Bricks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain new and use ful improvements in building blocks or bricks, and more particularly to that class known as artificial stone.

The object of my invention is to embody simplicity, economy, and lightness in the structure, while at the same time free interior ventilation is secured, and the structure is rendered capable of use in the ordinary method of laying brick or breaking the make-joints; and with these ends in view my invention consists of a molded block or brick having open passages at each end, with a solid portion in the middle, as will be hereinafter fully de scribed.

In order that those skilled in the art may know how to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the construction and advantages of the same, referring by letters to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view of a brick embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a top or plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section, and Fig. 4 a vertical section, of a wall built with my improved bricks.

Similar letters denote like parts in the several figures.

A is the brick, molded in rectangular or other suitable form, and provided at each end with cup or other shaped depressions B B, on oppo site sides, said depressions terminating in and being j oined by smaller channels or passages, O. The ends of the bricks are solid, as shown at D D, and the central portion between the passages O is also solid, as already shown at E, Fig. 3.

hen the bricks are laid in the usual way, as shown at Fig. 4, to break joints, it will be seen that the channel and cup-shape de pressions at the left-hand end of the lower course come into alignment with those of the right-hand end of the next succeeding course, and thus form a continuous straight ventilating passage, the cup shape depressions forming receptacles for any excess of mortar without infringing upon the ventilating capacity.

It will also be observed that in heading the same results will ensue. I am aware that the broad idea of forming bricks with ventilating-passages is not new, but I am not aware that a brick has ever before been constructed with ventilating-passages at either end, or with a central or intervening solid portion, such as shown at E in the drawings, the purpose of which is to give strength while preserving lightness, and at the same time permitting the brick to be halved, when necessary, without intersecting the ventilating-passages.

I do not of course wish to limit myself in any manner as to material used, as I may employ any of the well-known materials which may be desired; but- What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A molded brick provided near each end with vertical ventilating-passages, composed of cup- Shaped depressions B and connectingchannels O, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WVitnesses:

WM. P. YOUNG, J. IV. ALLEN. 

